The early bird gets the worm.

What Applying Early To Law School Can Mean

You want to apply to law school but your LSAT score and GPA are below average.
In a recent US News piece, reporter Ilana Kowarski spoke to experts on why applying early in the application cycle may give you a leg up when it comes to acceptance.
“It can be advantageous for students with lower LSAT scores and GPAs to apply earlier in the admission process,” Jeffrey Zavrotny, assistant dean for admissions at the University of Baltimore School of Law in Maryland, tells US News. “Schools are less focused on those indicators earlier in the process.”
The Rolling Admissions Process
Many law schools follow a rolling admissions process, which means admissions officers look at applications and give out decisions as they come in.
In the rolling admissions process, timing can mean everything.
“I tell anyone planning on applying to law school to apply early,” Dineen Pashoukos Wasylik, a partner and owner of DPW Legal, tells US News. “The class just fills up, and it gets harder and harder to get in as time goes on.”
In terms of timing, according to Stratus Admissions Counseling, the earliest you can submit an application to law school is typically August 15th of the year before you attend. However, most schools tend to accept applications in September or October.
Early Is Good, But Ready Is Better
Applying early can have its advantages, however, experts say applicants should feel that their application is ready before submitting.
Part of being ready is understanding how each application fits each school.
“Research the schools to which you are applying,” Rick Garcia, director of admissions and enrollment management for the University of La Verne College of Law in California, tells US News. “Understand who they aim to serve, why they aim to serve them, and how you can contribute to their social and academic milieu.”
Garcia says application timing can come in handy when it comes to highly selective schools.
“More popular institutions receive more applications than they have seats to offer. Making your case for admission earlier is a good strategy to compete at those schools,” he tells US News. “Less selective schools want applicants to submit a well-composed application, but tend not to fuss over timing as much the quality of the application.”
Sources: US News, Stratus Admissions Counseling